A letter to the editor was published on February 18 stating that the new Starbucks opening on campus is an “unethicalâ€Â move on the part of the University because of Starbucks’ coffee purchasing policies. As a former Starbucks employee I am familiar with these policies.

Starbucks has actually been a member of the Fair Trade movement since 2000, purchasing Fair Trade Certified coffee to ensure that farmers receive substantial premiums for their beans. Starbucks is one of the largest buyers of Fair Trade Certified coffee, purchasing approximately 10% of the global Fair Trade coffee imports. Also, Starbucks is licensed to sell Fair Trade Certified coffee in 23 countries—the only company to do so. Although not all of Starbucks’ coffee is Fair Trade Certified, they pay well above the average market price for commodity-grade coffee, about 23% higher.

Starbucks plans to double their amount of Fair Trade Certified coffee in 2009, increasing their purchase to 40 million pounds. Starbucks prides itself on being a socially responsible company. They work with their farming families to improve their quality of life by funding projects that will benefit the coffee communities.

Starbucks is anything but a “shamefulâ€Â company. For more information on how Starbucks works with the Fair Trade movement and coffee farming communities as well as other service efforts, readers can visit www.starbucks.com.

Andrea Smith
Junior
English